Grossman seeks to elevate Mass. vets office

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Treasurer and Democratic candidate for governor Steven Grossman says he would push to give full cabinet level status to the state's top veterans official.

Grossman offered the proposal prior to attending a Veterans Day ceremony at the Statehouse.

The agency that serves veterans currently has sub-cabinet level status. Secretary of Veterans' Services Coleman Nee reports to the state secretary of health and human services, who in turn reports to the governor.

Under Grossman's plan, the veterans' secretary would report directly to the governor.

Gov. Deval Patrick was non-committal about granting cabinet-level status to the office, saying results were more important than procedure. He said during the ceremony that Massachusetts leads the nation in providing benefits and services to its veterans.